Located across the dazzling Chao Phraya River from the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Bangkok, Sala Rim Naam is one of the most memorable dining experiences that has been constantly appraised by Michelin magazine for years in a row.
In this diner’s review, I’m gonna give you a sneak peek into what it’s like to enjoy a formal set of Thai cuisine at night in a richly decorated pavilion that reminds you of a traditional Northern Thai-style house.
How to get to Mandarin Oriental Sala Rim Naam?
- Address: 48 Oriental Ave, Khwaeng Khlong Ton Sai, Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500 Thailand
- Business Hours: 12:00~14:30, Dinner (including performance) 19:00 ~ 22:30
When dining at Sala Rim Naam, it is important to note that although it is part of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Bangkok, it is not located within the hotel’s accommodation area. Instead, it is across the river from the hotel, next to the famous new shopping mall, Iconsiam. You can take the BTS to “Saphan Taksin Station” exit 3 and walk 15 minutes to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Then, ask the hotel staff for the restaurant shuttle boat location. Walk to the restaurant “Terrace Rim Naam” inside the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, and next to the restaurant is Pier 1 (N1) Oriental Pier. Take the Mandarin Oriental’s free shuttle boat across the river. If you want to visit Iconsiam, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel provides a free shuttle boat every hour to take you there. You can also walk to Sala Rim Naam after visiting Iconsiam, but it is a bit of a walk.
The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok is super beautiful. If you’re interested in staying there, you can check out the latest room rates at: Mandarin Oriental Bangkok Hotel
The Dining Space
Sala Rim Naam is split into two dining areas. The outdoor seating is a perfect call for those who want to indulge in the breezy scene of the Chao Phraya River with a view. However, the performance is always served indoors so make sure you pick the right seat when meals are ready to be served.
Steeped in traditional Thai architecture, the restaurant’s atmosphere is very welcoming. Munch on classic Thai cuisine under the high ceilings while the teak wood furnishing injects the ambiance with a cozy flare.
Dress Code
Smart casual is the right way to go. Apparently, they won’t ask you to put on a suit and tie but make sure to have elegant attire with enough coverage to show respect to the artists. Simple dresses for women and long trousers and closed shoes for men are enough to call it the day. Please also note that slippers and sandals should be avoided.
The Menu
A lavish Thai buffet lunch is served daily including appetizers, salads, main meals, and desserts soaked in a wide spectrum of traditional Thai tastes. The theme of the set changes every three months with Chinese and English menus available. A vegetarian menu is also offered.
The buffet lunch is served between 11:30 am and 2:30 pm while dinner is served from 7 pm to 10 pm (the last order is 9:30 pm). The dance show is scheduled to start at 7:45 pm and end at 9 pm.
After taking the seat, the band will get the music started with an English introduction while food is slowly served one by one, starting with appetizers. On the way to the end of the main course, the performance will move from the stage close to the diners’ area.
Thai Traditional Dance Show
The show stuns you with a set of 5 rounds of dances, introducing the traditional cultures and movements from different regions of Thailand. A live band is standing behind the stage.
The dining environment is designed based on the concept of a northern Thai pavilion. As there were many guests on that day, it was not convenient to take photos directly of the seats. Therefore, we have included photos of dance performances to showcase the environment for everyone to see!
As Piaor felt that the dining experience at Sala Rim Naam was more about the performance than the deliciousness of the food, she will first introduce the dance performance.
Taree Bu Ngar Rumpai, a dance from southern Thailand, features dancers carrying flower baskets and dancing to music with cute upper body movements.
There were approximately seven performances, most of which were traditional dances from various provinces in Thailand. The most distinctive one was “Thep Thevi Procession” shown in the picture below, which tells the story of a beautiful princess from a folk tale in northern Thailand.
Foan Naam Ton is a form of writing from northern Thailand, where dancers perform a dance while carrying water vessels, which is considered a part of Lanna culture.
The pursuit of Benyakai is one of the most story-driven performances, and is a common Thai dance performance seen internationally. It tells the story of the Indian mythology “Ramayana,” which deeply influenced Southeast Asia and later became the Thai mythology “Ramakien.”
One of the performances was “Muay Thai,” which happened to be performed while I was having my main course. However, I myself didn’t enjoy watching this type of fighting performance while eating. The performance itself was very similar to the real Muay Thai performance at Muay Thai Live, which I highly recommended before. There was a ritual of paying respect to the gods and teachers, and then the fighting began. If you really want to watch Muay Thai, I suggest you go to Muay Thai Live and focus on watching, rather than trying to eat at the same time, as it can be a bit hard to digest.
The appearance of dancers is carefully selected. In addition to their excellent dance skills, both men and women are very attractive. The makeup artists are particularly meticulous, and their figures are also very good. Especially this beautiful woman, she is so stunning that I am surprised. I sincerely believe that if she had more talent and ability, she could be a star.
Towards the end of the show, you will have a chance to enjoy a Muay Thai boxing show (don’t freak out, they don’t box for real, but rather pretend to box, but you get the point). Photos with the dancers are all welcomed and tipping is optional.
Sala Rim Naam Dinner Set
At the time I dined, Sala Rim Naam offered a small set of Northern Thai cuisine for appetizers including spicy pork, fried pork rind, and a playful mashup of salad with beautiful plating decoration. The appetizer truly promotes a strong spicy kick using lots of spices, herbs, and gingers.
Moving on to the main course, I had such a wonderful serving of freshly caught prawns grilled, red curry chicken rice, and coconut stewed crab. To cap off the main course, I had a yummy serving of coconut ice cream and traditional Thai sweets.
Next up is the “Pomelo Salad” that Piaor loves to eat no matter which restaurant we go to. It’s mainly a Thai-style pomelo with fish sauce and lemon seasoning. Each restaurant makes it slightly differently, and Sala Rim Naam even adds pomegranate and ginger to theirs.
Next up is the soup, followed by the “Local River Shrimp with Spicy and Sour Sauce” shown in the picture below. River shrimp is a very unique ingredient, completely different from the Thai shrimp or fresh seafood from Australia or Penghu that you may have in mind. It truly is “river” shrimp, giving a strong sense of local wild flavors. Personally, I am a seafood lover, but I cannot handle this dish because the spicy and sour sauce is different from the Thai-style flavor that you are familiar with (I am not referring to Taiwanese-style Thai cuisine, but the Thai-style flavor commonly found in Bangkok). In fact, it has more of a Northern Thai flavor, with some spices that I do not like, so I just won’t eat it.
At the same time, the main dishes served were “Coconut Milk Crab Meat with Vegetables” and “Red Curry Chicken Rice” on the right. The taste of Coconut Milk Crab Meat with Vegetables is a common flavor that can be found in Bangkok restaurants, but the Red Curry is a curry that subverts expectations. It feels like Thai traditional spices have been added to the commonly eaten Red Curry, giving it a ginger flavor and a special taste. It’s another dish that I can’t handle.
Finally, the meal ended with coconut ice cream and traditional Thai desserts that I had never tasted even in Chiang Mai. It was the most authentic Northern Thai meal I have ever had.
Conclusion
Dining at Sala Rim Naam is definitely an enjoyable experience, especially for those looking for something exciting to spend the night and fill their empty stomach. This is a family-friendly thing to do at night in Bangkok, brought to you by a highly-trained and friendly staff.
Travel Guide to Thailand
Explore more of our adventures around Thailand:
- Bangkok Travel Guide:Get Around, Best Hotels, Good Eats, & Sample Itinerary
- 20 Coolest Things to Do in Bangkok to Try This Year
- Where to Stay in Bangkok: Best Hotels in Bangkok
- Best Places to Visit in Thailand to Unleash Your Wanderlust
- What to Eat in Thailand? 15 Signature Thai Dishes to Inspire Your Palate
Thailand Travel Essentials